The combined Pill
Sex Sense can provide girls with information and advice about the pill. Our confidential clinic sessions can prescribe the pill.
The Combined Pill - 'Pill'
The combined pill is usually just called the pill. It contains two hormones - oestrogen and progestogen. These are similar to the natural hormones women produce in their ovaries. There are a variety of types of combined pill.
Where can I get the pill?
All Sex Sense and Contraception (Family planning) clinics, and most GPs provide free contraception. You can go to any other GP if you prefer not to see your own doctor.
What are the advantages of the pill?
Some of the advantages of the pill are, it:
- doesn't interfere with sex
- usually makes your periods shorter, lighter and less painful
- can help with pre-menstrual symptoms
- protects against two types of cancer - cancer of the ovary and cancer of the womb
- protects against some pelvic infections
- reduces the risk of fibroids (tumours in the womb that are not cancer), ovarian cysts and breast disease that is not cancer
What are the disadvantages of the pill?
You may get temporary side-effects when you first start the pill.
How effective is it?
If the pill is taken according to instructions it is over 99% effective. This means that less than 1 woman in 100 will get pregnant in a year. If the pill is not taken according to instructions, more women will become pregnant.
